How to hire a security guard

How to hire a security guard, step by step

Here's a step-by-step security guard hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a security guard job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new security guard
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a security guard do?

Post a security guard job for free, promote it for a fee

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your security guard job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a security guard for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect security guard also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of security guards and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Security Guard	Description	Hourly rate
   Security Guard	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$12-19
   Enforcement Officer	The enforcement officer is someone who promotes and enforces policies, instructions, and obligations of tenants. An enforcement officer aims to resolve two parties' issues that may arise from orders given by the admin or management... Show more	$13-24
   Protective Officer	A protective officer is in charge of preventing theft and damages in stores and other establishments. Among their responsibilities include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, patrolling areas, keeping an eye on suspicious activities and behavior, developing strategies to enforce security protocols, and responding to distress... Show more	$13-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Patrol
   • Ladders
   • Security Services
   • Emergency Situations
   • CPR
   • Law Enforcement
   • Property Damage
   • Surveillance Equipment
   • Incident Reports
   • Loss Prevention
   • Metal Detectors
   • CCTV
   • Security Cameras

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist employees with any and all concerns regarding payroll issues, insurance and requesting time off.
   • Certify in fire safety, adult/child CPR with mask and choking, adult/child a, infant CPR w/ mask and choking.
   • Distribute payroll checks to security officers.
   • Administer CPR and transport injured personnel to local medical facilities.
   • Monitor CCTV and other various intrusion detection security equipment for security issues.
   • Provide relief to other security officers while maintaining punctuality and building moral support.

   More security guard duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your security guard job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A security guard salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, security guards' average salary in louisiana is 45% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level security guards earn 38% less than senior-level security guards.
   • Certifications. A security guard with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a security guard's salary.

   Average security guard salary

   $15.38hourly

   $31,983 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level security guard salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average security guard salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$41,745	$20
   2	California	$37,614	$18
   3	Minnesota	$36,935	$18
   4	Oregon	$36,525	$18
   5	Massachusetts	$36,249	$17
   6	New York	$35,309	$17
   7	Colorado	$34,220	$16
   8	Utah	$33,419	$16
   9	Maine	$33,411	$16
   10	Nevada	$33,140	$16
   11	Illinois	$32,421	$16
   12	Missouri	$32,363	$16
   13	Arizona	$30,672	$15
   14	Kansas	$30,446	$15
   15	Pennsylvania	$29,954	$14
   16	Ohio	$29,785	$14
   17	Indiana	$29,251	$14
   18	New Mexico	$28,996	$14
   19	Oklahoma	$28,984	$14
   20	Michigan	$28,830	$14

   Average security guard salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Basin Electric Power Cooperative	$46,204	$22.21
   2	University of California-Berkeley	$42,232	$20.30
   3	Andersen	$40,032	$19.25
   4	New York State Restaurant Association	$39,727	$19.10
   5	WestRock	$39,053	$18.78	1
   6	City of Detroit	$39,049	$18.77
   7	Oakland University	$39,040	$18.77	2
   8	United Service Technologies	$38,471	$18.50	3
   9	Safer Foundation	$38,395	$18.46
   10	Capital City Club	$38,311	$18.42	4
   11	Encompass Health	$38,226	$18.38
   12	BP America Inc	$37,867	$18.21
   13	Tucson Electric Power	$37,746	$18.15
   14	Vista Outdoor	$37,723	$18.14	1
   15	Covenant	$37,703	$18.13
   16	City of Austin	$37,636	$18.09	1
   17	The Culinary Institute of America	$37,600	$18.08	1
   18	University of Washington	$37,568	$18.06	8
   19	R+L Carriers	$37,456	$18.01	4
   20	Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center	$37,350	$17.96	4

4. Writing a security guard job description

   A security guard job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a security guard job description:

   Security guard job description example

   H-E-B is one of the largest, independently owned food retailers in the nation operating over 420+ stores throughout Texas and Mexico, with annual sales generating over $34 billion. Described by industry experts as a daring innovator and smart competitor, H-E-B has led the way with creative new concepts, outstanding service and a commitment to diversity in our workforce, workplace and marketplace. H-E-B offers a wealth of career opportunities to our 145,000+ Partners (employees), competitive compensation and benefits program and comprehensive training that lead to successful careers. Responsibilities: Keeping expenses and profit loss under control is critical to growing our business. Our Loss Prevention & Security Team works to minimize the loss of profits, systematically reduce shrink, and thwart organized criminal activity. Security Partners help protect our resources--People and physical assets--in Stores and on other H-E-B properties.
   
   As a Guard I, you'll guard property against damage, fire, theft, trespassing, and illegal entry, and maintain physical security for all non-store facilities.
   
   Once you're eligible, you'll become an Owner in the company, so we're looking for commitment, hard work, and focus on quality and Customer service. 'Partner-owned' means our most important resources--People--drive the innovation, growth, and success that make H-E-B The Greatest Omnichannel Retailing Company.
   
   Do you have a:
   HEART FOR PEOPLE... skills to interact at all levels, with tact and calm?
   HEAD FOR BUSINESS... understanding of how your job impacts our success and reputation?
   PASSION FOR RESULTS... drive to safeguard H-E-B Corporate properties and serve People?
   
   We are looking for: related experience communication skills ability to work weekends, nights, and shift work
   What is the work?
   Security: Makes periodic tours of buildings and grounds; examines doors, windows, and gates to ensure they are properly secured; if not, takes appropriate action if needed Monitors entry and exits Provides courteous assistance to Partners and visitors Processes visitors; ensures identification Responds to / investigates alarms, disturbances; maintains order and safety of personnel in emergency situations Performs administrative duties (e.g., guard post reports, daily activity reports, and associated documentation) Maintains safety awareness; reports incidents / violations May serve as liaison with police on mutual problems
   What is your background? High school diploma or equivalent 2+ years of related experience First Responder certification is a plus Completion of threat assessment training within six months of job start date Exposure to the Texas Penal Code
   Do you have what it takes to be a fit as an H-E-B Guard I? General knowledge of access control, camera, and burglary / fire alarm systems Proficiency in MS Office Verbal / written communications skills Ability to remain calm in emergency situations Ability to interact with high-energy customers Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups, applying appropriate judgment Ability to accurately key information into data system Ability to work weekends, holidays, shift work, and extended hours
   Can you... Successfully obtain Non-Commissioned Security License through Texas Private Security Board Pass annual background checks and random drug screens Maintain high personal hygiene standards, and a neat and professional appearance, including clean and pressed uniforms Successfully complete periodic physical capacity / agility screening; maintain appropriate physical standards, including agility, physical strength, and stamina in order to respond to emergency situations, restrain and apprehend suspects, lift, and push or pull individuals or objects weighing up to 70 pounds Climb stairs; run, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach Fulfill specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to discern colors and work in a night setting (mandatory) Work outside, be exposed to elements, if needed Sit for extended periods Function in a fast-paced, retail, office environment Work weekends, holidays; perform shift work (mandatory) Work extended hours (may work 40+ hours)
   01-2020

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find security guards for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any security guards they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level security guards with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your security guard job on Zippia to find and recruit security guard candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit security guards, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new security guard

   Once you've found the security guard candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new security guard. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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